As we approach the dramatic conclusion to Season 1 of StarCraft II competition for the 2013 World Championship Series, players are already setting their sights on achieving glory in the tournament’s upcoming second season. We were thrilled that over 2,500 players chose to participate in April’s Season 1 qualifiers, but going forward, we want to increase the overall quality of the matches and bolster the competitive ladder environment so players have a clear path to play. With these goals in mind, WCS Europe and WCS America will be instituting a ladder rank requirement similar to the current restriction in WCS Korea. The new rule is as follows:

Starting with WCS 2013 Season 2, players who wish to participate in open qualifiers for the StarCraft II World Championship Series must reach Master or Grandmaster league in the current StarCraft II ladder season, or the ladder season immediately preceding it. This must be achieved in the region associated with the WCS region in which players plan to compete (NA region for WCS America, EU region for WCS Europe, KR region for WCS Korea.) Players who do not reach Master league or above on the appropriate region, and in the appropriate timeframe, for the WCS region in which they wish to participate may be disqualified from competition. Players are furthermore responsible for ensuring that a Master or Grandmaster result is visible on the Battle.net profile they will be competing with so that this requirement may be verified by league operators.*

*StarCraft II players on KeSPA and eSF team rosters are exempt from this rule for competition in WCS Korea.

Good luck and have fun as you reach for the Master League star.